Eventually, I like to think the final marker with my thesis will actually, y'know, mark it.

I am waiting, still, yes, still, for one marker. Two markers have returned it, but I apparently will not be told anything about marks until this final, lingering, individual returns it. Since I handed it in in March, it's getting a little irritating now, since it is September, and I can feel all the strands that I had with the thing dropping off. It's going to be difficult to get back into the thesis if I had to do rewrites. But the worse of the waiting, however, is the constant questions from my friends and family, asking me if I've heard anything yet. Have you heard--? What about--? Hey, your--! I think they've recorded their voices and just play the question out of a microphone in their neck every time we talk. I shouldn't complain, but I'm busy trying not to think about it, and this questioning, well, it makes me think about it, y'know?

Still, I would like the marks back. I would like the closure. I've had my fun: I wrote Twenty-Six Lies/One Truth, got a speeding fine driving to Port Maquarie, and I've read a bunch, watched some films, and seen some bands. Time to bring in some closure to the thesis and move on.

Though on to what, is, I guess, a question.

You'd be surprised how little you're actually qualified for with a doctorate. Fit for party tricks only, it seems.

Sigh. I handed in in early June and I'm already sick of people asking me about it. They started asking even during the month when the admin people at the uni hadn't forwarded it on to the markers yet!

Most days, I don't even think about it. I'm always surprised when other people seem to care about whether I've got the doctorate or not. I had *my* ability to care about it beaten out of me in the last couple of months before submission. It's all I can do to summon a "meh."

Questioning is bad. Like you wouldn't just tell them if it was all done and dusted?

that's what i always say. like, once the marks come back, what am i going to do? pretend they haven't? i think my mum is most afraid i'm going to graduate without going through with the graduation ceremony. she wants to go to one, she says.

i think they all tend to forget, as well, that even when you get it back from the markers, you'll likely have to do some work on it.

Yes, and they think I'm joking when I say I hope it will take as long as possible to come back! It's like waiting for that really tortutous relative to come back from a holiday with all their slides...